Story of Strength: Sinwar’s novel shows life in Palestine

"The Thorn and the Carnation," a novel by the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, serves as a stark literary window into the heart of Palestinian life, conflict, and the relentless will to persevere.

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يکشنبه - ۲۰ دی ۲۰۲۵ / 2025 20 October

A book written by Yahya Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas, gives readers a deep look into the lives of Palestinians. The novel, called "The Thorn and the Carnation," is more than just a story. It is a strong voice for people living under occupation. It falls into the category of "resistance literature," which is stories about the fight for freedom and dignity.

The book has been translated by a number of translators and publishing houses in Iran. Among them, the translation by Asma Khajehzadeh has attracted the attention of the Iranian audience.

Yahya Sinwar wrote this important book in 2004. He wrote it while he was held in an Israeli prison. This fact makes the story feel very real and authentic.

In an interesting choice, Sinwar decided to write the book in Hebrew. This is the language of the occupier. This decision seems to be a way to speak directly to the other side, to show them the reality of Palestinian life.

The characters in "The Thorn and the Carnation" are not made up from nothing. They are based on the real experiences of real Palestinians living in the occupied territories.

The book follows the life of a man named Ahmad. Ahmad was born in a refugee camp and has lived there his whole life. The story is told in thirty chapters. Each chapter shows a different event or problem that Ahmad faces in the camp.

Together, these chapters create a full picture of what daily life is like for Palestinian refugees. This way of telling the story, piece by piece, reflects how life under siege is full of separate challenges and struggles.

One of the main and most difficult topics in the book is about Palestinians who work for Israeli employers. The book shows how complicated this situation is.

For some families, this work is the only way to earn money and survive. They see it as a necessary step to feed their children. But for others in the community, this same act is seen as a betrayal. They believe working for the occupier hurts the Palestinian fight for freedom. This internal conflict shows the impossible choices people must make every day.

The story also follows young Palestinian students. These young men and women decide to travel to Egypt to continue their studies. The book describes the scary and difficult process of going through Israeli military checkpoints.

It also shows the deep worry of their mothers, who wait at home, hoping for their safe return. This part of the story highlights how even a simple goal, like getting an education, becomes a major challenge.

Amid all the struggle, the book also includes normal human moments. While at university, the main character, Ahmad, develops feelings for a young woman in his class. He keeps his feelings to himself, planning to ask for her hand in marriage only after he graduates. This small, personal dream of love and a future family stands in strong contrast to the larger political struggles. It reminds us that people continue to hope for a normal life.

The main conflict in the book is the constant choice Palestinians face. They are always having to choose between prison and freedom, between staying silent and speaking out, between accepting humiliation and standing up to resist.

The author uses a simple but powerful image to explain this: bitter almonds and sweet almonds. The bitter almonds represent the hard parts of life—war, death, and sacrifice. These difficult experiences force people to grow up fast and become strong. The sweet almonds represent hope, love, and the will to keep living.

This battle between survival and destruction is the heart of the novel. The book shows people who find their strength while surrounded by violence, yet still try to find inner peace.

The picture of a gun in one hand and a tear in the eye is a strong one. It shows a heart full of sadness but also a heart full of hope. The author describes a world where war and hope exist side-by-side.

The book makes it clear that for people in Gaza, the spirit of resistance is a part of life itself. Sinwar, who fought from a very young age, shows that to be born in Gaza is to be born into a life of struggle.

The fight for freedom is not just a political idea; it is woven into everyday existence. You cannot separate the person from the resistance.

For many readers around the world, the life described in this book will seem shocking and unfamiliar. The childhood of a child in Gaza is completely different from what most people know. It is like discovering a new world.

The book suggests that even other Arab people are often surprised when they learn the true details of life in Gaza.

"The Thorn and the Carnation" also explains the reasons behind the Palestinian resistance. Sinwar lays out his arguments for why the fight is necessary. He explains that resistance is not a quick, emotional reaction. Instead, it is a careful and long-term strategy. It is a steady effort to take back their rights and their land. It is a journey that requires great patience and planning.

In the end, the book shows how the Palestinian people have used their faith and determination to become a powerful force. Their struggle has made an impact not only in Palestine but around the world.

The novel is a testament to a journey that is full of huge challenges, but also filled with unwavering hope. It teaches that true freedom requires great sacrifice.

Yahya Sinwar was a man who knew how to use both weapons and words. After his death, his words continue to spread his message.

"The Thorn and the Carnation" is his lasting legacy. It is a story that continues to explain, justify, and honor the endless struggle of the Palestinian people for their land, their dignity, and their future.

Reported by Tohid Mahmoudpour